WAY too much going on this weekend.

It will be hard to choose, lets start with

· Winerdì at Ciao Vino, December 18^th. This week we will tasting sparkling wines and champagne and discussing the wine making process on our quest for the best holiday bollicine. I hoped you signed up because it is sold out.

· My home away from home is having a big weekend. The 18^th through the 20^th , Taurasi (Av) will celebrate the grand opening of its Enoteca Regionale. There will be guided visits in the local cantinas, Castello Marchionale located in the centro storico will host guest speakers, AIS Campania, Slow Food Campania and Gambero Rosso Campania will be on hand as well. There will be a dinner based around themes such as “Sapori della tradizione rurale campana”, starting from the Terre di Mezzo (Irpinia, Sannio, Matese, Vallo di Diano e Monti Picentini), onto Le Terre del Fuoco (Aria Vesuviana e Campi Flegrei) then dell’Aria (Terra di Lavoro e Piana del Sele), finally arriving at Terre dell’Acqua (Cilento, Penisola Sorrentina, Costiera Amalfitana e Isole del Golfo). I got this info from my friends at Ais Napoli. For more details call 0827.74757 o 345.0603342 or email enotecaregionaletaurasi@gmail.com

· Maybe you want a break from the usual wine tastings. Well, on Sunday the 20th at at Citta della Scienza, beginning at 1000 the will be focusing on the fine art of tea. Visitors, with the aid of tea trader Antonella Spiniello, will learn how to recognize the various types of tea leaves, where they originate from as well as preparation techniques.

· Perhaps you would prefer a day enjoying nature. Sunday, then would be a great day to spend with AIGAE, Associazione Italiana Guide Ambientali Escursioniste. The day will begin with a tour of the borghi medievali of Monte Caievola. Afterwards, a walk through through acropoli sannita di Pietravairano. Then you can finish up with a lunch –km zero-at the Agristor “Le due torri” in Presenzano. The menu: Stringata e Prosciutto nero casertano – Salumificio Esperia di Roccamonfina, Mozzarella di Bufala – Caseificio La Fenice di Presenzano, Tubetti di Gragnano con patate di Letino e lardo di Suino casertano, Reale di Vitello Marchigiano – Fattoria Carpineto di Presenzano, Degustazione di Formaggi Caprini e Pecorini – Caseificio Optimum Sancti Petri e Crumble di Mela Annurca e crema. The cost is 30 euro per person(excluding beverages), including a guided tour of the borgo, entrance and tour to the museo di scienze nazionale “Natura Viva” del Parco Regionale Roccamonfina – foce del Garigliano di S. Clemente di Galluccio. Reservations must be made by 1200 on Friday, December 18 2009 at Natura&Cultura: 3807991091 and info@naturaecultura.it.

· Berardino Lombardo, chef of the famous Terra de Conca,(Contrada Piantoli Tel. 339.5928649) Conca della Campania (Ce) has an excellent line up for the 19th and 20th. The weekend is programmed around the caponne-(eel) a typical neapolitan dish served during the holidays.

Saturday the 19th

1030: Mercatino of local products including tastings

Esperia Salumi
Formaggi Optimum Sancti Petri
10 oli extravergine di oliva del frantoio Maciariello
Verdure della Masseria Tuoro
La Colombaia, castagne e confetture
Azienda San Teodoro
La Calenna, mele annurche.

Tastings of Brodo di Cappone

2030 Traditional cooking with local products by Berardino Lombardo e Angelo D'Amico, ristorante Barry di Montesarchio


Sunday, December 20

1030: Mercatino of local products including tastings

Tastings of Brodo di Cappone

1500 Cappone auction Luciano Pignataro andDante Stefano Del Vecchio


Coordinamento misteryapplecommunication di dante stefano del vecchio.

These are just a few of the events in the area. SO, do something different this weekend. Enjoy the culture!!!